Ambassador Kuzmin: Russian-Romanian economic relations can be developed without any political, ideological interference

Ambassador of the Russia Federation in Bucharest Valery I. Kuzim in Craiova, on Wednesday, after a meeting with representatives of the local administration, said that in his opinion the development of the Russian-Romanian economic relations is possible without any political, ideological interference, but based on pragmatic ideas, and specialists can pronounce about the collaboration possibilities.

The Russian Ambassador said that on a state level works are conducted for reviving the activity of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic matters and there are continued preparations for the Russian-Romanian economic Forum, which is planned to take place in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation.

"From my point of view, we must talk about the mutually beneficial economic ties and relations that have existed in the history of our relationships. Only specialists can pronounce about the new possibilities that can be discovered. I am a career diplomat and I don't have solutions to all problems. We'll continue the preparations for the Russian-Romanian economic forum which we hope will take place in Moscow and in other cities of my country. On a state level, if I can say so, we are working on reviving the activity of our joint intergovernmental commission on economic matters. In other words, we are seeking solutions that can lead to the improvement of our bilateral trade. I am certain and convinced that the development of our relations is possible on pragmatic grounds, based on a mutually-advantageous interest, without any political and ideological interference. This is my conviction. Why am I mentioning the ideological point of view? Because I have met very many persons who talk about the Russian Federation and accused it of communism. However, we must underscore that the USSR has disappeared more than half a century ago," the Russian Ambassador said in Craiova, in a meeting with the press, according to the official translation.

Asked about the NATO Multinational Brigade of Craiova, Valery Kuzmin said that this topic is a domestic topic of Romania, underscoring that the Russian Federation doesn't represent a threat to Romania, but has regarded and continues to regard "this NATO enlargement as incorrect, undermining the conditions and the spirit of the 1996 act between Russia and NATO."

"This is your internal matter and a matter of your responsibility as a country, it is a domestic thing. I can only underscore that Russia does not represent any threat to you and doesn't have any plant to threaten either. In respect to NATO's getting closer to the Russian borders, this process is a long one, it didn't begin yesterday or the day before yesterday, and not after Georgia's President Saakashvili's offensive in the peaceful city of South Ossetia, but a long time before. Russia has regarded and continues to regard this NATO enlargement incorrect, undermining the conditions and the spirit of the act of 1996 between Russia and NATO, and based on a completely incorrect issue and the incorrect approach on the situation," the Russian Federation's Ambassador in Bucharest said, according to the official translation.

The Russian Ambassador paid a visit to the Craiova Municipality on Wednesday, where he had a meeting with Dolj County Council President Ion Prioteasa, Craiova interim mayor Mihai Genoiu, at the end of which he had a meeting with the press. Valery Kuzmin also delivered the lecture on 'Russia's foreign policy since the Cold War until now' at the "Alexandru and Aristia Aman" Library and had a meeting with business environment representatives.